Monocyte-derived macrophages and dermal fibroblasts-derived ECM making small talk

Abstract

[Excerpt] Introduction: 3D in vitro skin models allow studying molecular pathways that otherwise are only possible to explore using animal models. The incorporation of immune cells, such as macrophages, has been implemented to create immunocompetent analogues. Yet, the human biology representation in those models is limited, among other aspects, by the minimal extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicry[1]. In order to tackle this limitation, we have established a protocol to extract fibroblasts-own ECM. In this work, we hypothesised that those ECM extracts were not able to promote macrophage activation, which could compromise the physiologic phenotype of the model. [...]